Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/90

 The same day, Erasmus went to the place pointed out to him by Giulietta. The beautiful Italian welcomed him with coquetry still more refilled than the night before. She took pleasure in observing the progress of the passion that Erasmus had conceived for her; but she kept him at a respectful distance, and opposed to all his efforts an immovable coldness. This resistance only inflamed the more his foolish love. He stopped visiting his friends to consecrate his time to following the steps of Giulietta.

One day Frederick met him, took him by the arm and said to him—"Knowest tbou, poor Spicker, that thou hast fallen into a very dangerous snare? How, hast thou not already learnt that Giulietta is a woman of gallantry, and above all the most tricky of those who have ever plucked a lover? They tell of her the most scurvy stories. Is it for such a creature as this that thou canst give up thy friends, and forget thy wife and child?"

At these words Erasmus understood his fault; he covered his face with his hands, and wept bitterly.

"Come, Spicker," said Frederick,"let us quit Florence, this dangerous city; let us go back into our good country."

"Yes," said Erasmus, "let us start this very day."

But as Frederick was going off with his friend, behold the Signor Dapertutto passed near Erasmus, and laughing in his face, cried out—"Good luck, my young friend; run, Giulietta is dying of impatience and love, and accusing you of negligence."—Erasmus stopped short, in surprise.

"Good God!" said Frederick; "this Dr. Dapertutto is a quack, really worthy of correction. There never was a more insolent monkey, since he poisons with his fashionable pills the famous Giulietta."

"Giulietta!" exclaimed Erasmus; "does this queer fellow go to the house of Giulietta?"

The two friends arrived under the balcony of the goddess. A sweet voice called to Erasmus, who, disengaging himself violently from Frederick's arm, sprang into the house.